Senator Nesbitt Talks Auto Insurance Reform

nesbitttestifies-12
nesbitttestifies-12

Senate Bill 1 for the new legislative session is signaling the intent of majority Republicans to go after the high costs of auto insurance in Michigan. The bill, introduced this week by Senator Aric Nesbitt of Lawton, would allow drivers 62 and older to opt-out of the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association lifetime medical benefit coverage by using Medicare or other health insurance, and also lets younger drivers opt out and chose less coverage. Nesbitt tells WSJM News it’s time to shut the lobbyists that have blocked reforms for years out.

“There’s a lot of monied interests that are out there that are making tons of money off the backs of the drivers here in our state, and I think we really need to get serious with auto insurance reform,” says Nesbitt.

Specifics will be worked out later, with the bill seen as a sign that Republicans are serious about the issue. Nesbitt is hoping for bipartisan support, but notes that hasn’t always been there despite both parties saying it’s a top issue.

“I supported auto insurance reform that would have cut the costs by about 40%, and there wasn’t one Democrat who supported that (in the House) when we voted on it back in 2013.”

For years, efforts to curtail Michigan’s highest-in-the-nation auto insurance premiums have resulted in legislative stalemates.